For You

School Spirit

I didn't realize that mornings could pass by so quickly . I couldn't sleep all night. I was thinking what could happen in school. Since, now everyone knows. Will they hate me?

I have always been careful about my reputation. I may be acting like a bad egg in certain things. But, I never cross the line. Because, I was always so scared of being hated, of being gossiped about. Most girls of my age like being the center of attention. Let's have Abigail for example. But me, I never wanted people to notice me. I never wanted to be famous. I mean, can you imagine strangers talking about your personal life? It still gives me goose bumps when I think about it. Let alone, being in the situation would silently kill me.

I couldn't sleep all night. I just couldn't. As soon as the alarm stops at 6 I finally get myself out of my bed. My dad knocks my door to make sure I am not late again. I shout from the bathroom, "Dad I am up already," and soon afterwards he stops banging possibly hearing me.

After the brushing and cleaning, I put on my clothes. I decide to wear my lucky t-shirt today. It was a gift. A gift from him. Every time I wore it before, I ended up having a good day. I still remember the day I got it. He saved his one month lunch money to buy me this t-shirt. I was so happy and not because of the gift, because it was the first time he bought me something. It meant a lot to me and it forever will. Now, when I think about it, I think it wasn't the t-shirt which was lucky for me all this time. It was the person behind that t-shirt.

I look at the mirror where I see a picture 90s Leonardo DiCaprio on it. He knew I loved him, which is why he bought it in the first place.

I open my makeup case to apply some foundation. I expect that can cover my incredibly huge eye bags . I don't want people to think I am sad or I am depressed or whatever. Like I said, I am careful about my reputation.

Finishing everything, I carry my schoolbag strapping it on my shoulders as I begin to walk downstairs. Getting down, I hear dad talking over the phone. I enter the living room where I see him staggering, "Yeah honey, let me know how the meeting goes." I clear my throat to get his attention. He turns around while I say, "Are you done with your romance?" He was startled. "Yeah, I will talk to you later," he says as he hung up the call. "Your mom said 'Hi'," he said grinning. He enters the kitchen as I talk to him from the kitchen window attached to living room, "So what's for breakfast?" I was hoping something light and tasty. Since, my dad is a great chef. But no, it turned to be the opposite.

"I made us some broccoli sandwiches."

He brings the plate in front of my face where my eyes bulged and I moved backwards.

"Oh no! I am not having that."

"Come on, it's good for your health."

I tighten my bags strap as I run out of the house shouting, "I am not having breakfast dad!"

I start walking for the bus station, since I have very little time in my hands. But, on my way somebody stops me.

"Ellie, Wait!"

Alex shouts across the road. He parks his car in the middle of the road. Once I see him I walk to his car to greet him.

"Hey, what's up?"

I bend to the window peeping my head little inside the car . I was being friendly.

He talks through the window looking at me, "I went to your house to pick you up. But your dad said you already left."

"For permanent or temporary?" filling a pause I reply with annoyance.

"Come on ...that was one time." he tried to rationalize. "I owe you, okay? That won't happen again."

Something came up in my mind in that instant.

"On one condition..." I say.

"Okay shoot."

I reply fast, "If you promise to take me to the ECN ball."

The ECN aka the enchanted ball. It a fairy tale themed ball the Rust family arranges every year. I was never into these kind of parties. But I knew he will be there. So, my mind didn't hesitate.

Alex was dumfounded in that second. But then he says, "Fine, get in." I open the door to sit in front while he looks at me in shock.

"The ECN ball. That's all?"

I shrug my shoulders saying, "Yeah, I always wanted to go."

Cars were lining up in the back as the horns starts blowing. He starts his car and turning around the Steris wheel he says, "I thought you never liked this kind of parties. I thought you hate meeting new people! "

I make up an excuse, "I like them now."

He speeds up the car limit keeping his eyes focused on the road, "You know, he's going to be there."

I didn't think Alex would remember. I turn around my face to hide the embarrassment.

"So?"

He wailed, "So? What do you mean by so?"

I look at him, "Its fine chill."

He faces me, "Wait! You knew he's going to be there? "

I didn't know my eyes could tell so much.

"Yes?" I answer truthfully.

We reach school finally and Alex couldn't stop grouching about my decision. I didn't give him a reason. He doesn't need to know what I was planning.

We were both late for our first classes. We enter for our history class together. While I was keeping my bag down I see Dave staring at me. I meet my eyes with his warmly for just a few seconds.

I tore my gaze away when my eyes begin to flood again. My vision totally blurred. I shut my eyes wrestling the tears

The whole class I was waiting for the bell to ring as I kept drumming the pen on the table anxiously. Then alas, I hear it.

I get up not even caring what the teacher is talking about. Dave grabs my hand to stop me while I aim to walk away from him. He projects his head closer to my neck down below the ear as he whispers making me stop my respiration.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

I don't turn back to look at him.

"I can't."

My hand was fighting to get out of his clutch. But all my struggle went in vain. He held it so tightly that it was kind of wounding me.

"Dave, please."

He leaves my hand the moment I say please. I observe him, his head was down. I continue my walk out of the class disappointed.

On my way out, a girl comes up to me saying, "Hey, you are Ellie right?"

I stop my motion replying, "Yeah?"

She trails her eyes at me from up to bottom and it was making me uncomfortable.

"Can you move please? You are blocking my way."

I wanted to get away from Dave as soon as possible.

"Yeah sure, but first you need to tell me something." Dramatically she portraits.

And just as that my every bit of rush was gone.

"With what?" I respond confused.

"How to cheat with your friend's boyfriend without them finding out?"

I was sickened hearing that. My heart just cracked with an implosion. Like a needle is pushed in it.

People lined up behind me started coughing 'w***e' under their breath. I turn to look at Dave helplessly. But, his head was down with shame displayed on his face.



I was hoping a raise of his voice along with sunshine to help me in this situation and sweep me out of this pitch black reality. But it didn't occur. He didn't had the guts to accept the truth. Just like me.

He was never like this.

"Hey. Excuse me. Can you move?"

Alex enters the room. He had been waiting for me outside.

"Yeah, after getting her answers of course. " She says being so assured.

"Of course she will after you tell us about Ethan, right?"

I didn't understand what they were talking about. But surely, she was outraged with Alex. She leaves in a breath while Alex grasps my hand and pulls me out of that terrible situation.

"Thanks man .....that was..." He completes my sentence, "Sick." I

make an effort to laugh, "Yeah."

I was never this silent. Never silent in front of people who tried to hurt me. But then, it was fake news which is why I knew I will win the conversion sooner or later. I knew I had faith in myself . However, this time it was actually true, which is why my mind was punishing me as well.

But, this was just the beginning for me . I still had the whole day to survive.